Selling a Car After a Divorce or Separation in the UAE

First question: whose name is on the mulkiya?

The RTA only recognises the registered owner. If the car is in your name, you can sell it. If it is in your former partner's name, they need to sell it or give you a power of attorney to do so. If a court order or settlement assigns the car to you but the registration has not been changed, the transfer to you (or straight to the buyer) needs the registered owner's cooperation or the court document, so sort this before you approach a buyer.

If there is a loan on the car

• The bank holds a mortgage on the registration until the loan is settled
• The loan is in one person's name, whatever was agreed between you, and that person's bank must issue the liability letter
• A dealer can settle the loan directly with the bank from the sale price and pay the difference to the registered owner
• If the car is worth less than the loan, the shortfall has to be paid before the transfer

If the registered owner is abroad

The owner can approve the RTA transfer with UAE Pass while on a call with the dealer, as long as their Emirates ID is still valid. If it is not, a power of attorney in the RTA's accepted wording is the alternative. Carology does this regularly for owners who have already left.

Keeping it quick and private

• Sell to a dealer rather than privately: no listing, no strangers, no calls
• One visit, one firm offer, payment before you leave
• The dealer handles the bank and the RTA, so there is no need for both parties to be present unless both are on the registration
• Ask for the price range on WhatsApp first so you know the number before you go

When you sell to Carology you deal only with our team, in our Business Bay showroom. You get one firm offer with no hidden deductions, you are paid by bank transfer or cash before you leave, and we complete the RTA transfer. The valuation is free and there is no obligation.